Should Ortiz or Youk start at first base in Denver?

[das11209]

Tough call - the way Youk played last series.

 

If only Youk could play short and we could sit Lugo.

[riverside sluggers]

Since Ortiz is the big bopper alongside with Manny, I expect him to get mos of the playing time. Maybe 1 game, but I cant see him not being in the starting lineup for 2 of the espected 3 games at Coors Field

[mosox]

It's possible Lowell could sit and put Youk at third. Alot may depend on the lefty-righty matchups.

[soxfan17881]

First, I think that Lowell sitting is probably the last option on Tito's list.

 

Ortiz vs. Youk? Let's look at it this way...

 

Youk Hit .322 overall in the ALCS

Papi Hit .325 overall in the ALCS..........So that's a push, right?

 

Youk had 3 HRs

Papi had 4 HRs..................edge: Papi

 

Youk has one error since June og '06 at 1st base

Papi played 1st in only 7 games in '07.................edge: Youk

 

Youk had 3 K's in the ALCS

Papi had 5 k's in the ALCS....................edge: Youk

 

Ok...so that give Youk the slight edge, overall, right?

 

There is also the idea that Youk had some playing time in LF last year. That could add other level of confusion to the discussion.

 

The low ERA of the Rockies would seem to indicate that we want hitting.

 

The Rockies scored 18 runs in 36 innings of the NLCS. (0.5 RPI)

The Sox scored 51 runs in 62 innings of the ALCS (.823 RPI)

This seems to indicate that we have the natural advantage for offense.

 

The Rockies allowed only 8 runs in 38 innings of the NLCS (.210 RPI)

The Sox allowed 32 runs in 63 innings of the ALCS (.508 RPI)

 

Any thoughts?

[riverside sluggers]

The Rockies facing the young agressive Diamondback offense is not the same as the Red Sox facing the tough patient Guardians offense. Boston has the momentum as well as homefield advantage on their side. Im predicting we go in 5

[das11209]

First, I think that Lowell sitting is probably the last option on Tito's list.

 

Ortiz vs. Youk? Let's look at it this way...

 

Youk Hit .322 overall in the ALCS

Papi Hit .325 overall in the ALCS..........So that's a push, right?

 

Youk had 3 HRs

Papi had 4 HRs..................edge: Papi

 

Youk has one error since June og '06 at 1st base

Papi played 1st in only 7 games in '07.................edge: Youk

 

Youk had 3 K's in the ALCS

Papi had 5 k's in the ALCS....................edge: Youk

 

Ok...so that give Youk the slight edge, overall, right?

 

There is also the idea that Youk had some playing time in LF last year. That could add other level of confusion to the discussion.

 

The low ERA of the Rockies would seem to indicate that we want hitting.

 

The Rockies scored 18 runs in 36 innings of the NLCS. (0.5 RPI)

The Sox scored 51 runs in 62 innings of the ALCS (.823 RPI)

This seems to indicate that we have the natural advantage for offense.

 

The Rockies allowed only 8 runs in 38 innings of the NLCS (.210 RPI)

The Sox allowed 32 runs in 63 innings of the ALCS (.508 RPI)

 

Any thoughts?

 

Good analysis. I have a question - has Lowell ever played short in his career? He certainly has the range and the arm-strength for it.

If he can do it - we move Youk to 3rd, Papi to 1st and Lugo to take the position near Coco.

[mar_022]

just a thought, and i doubt they'd sacrifice the d in right and at first at the same time, but against lefties francis and morales...any chance Youk plays right and papi plays first while JD sits until a pitching change is made....jd coming in for youk batting second isnt all bad

[TheKilo]

Good analysis. I have a question - has Lowell ever played short in his career? He certainly has the range and the arm-strength for it.

If he can do it - we move Youk to 3rd, Papi to 1st and Lugo to take the position near Coco.

 

Are you serious? Lowell has terrible range.

 

I would start Youks in at least one of the three in Colorado. If we are up 2-0, I fully expect to see Youks in there for 2/3.

 

You also have to consider the possibility of facing Morales and Francis in Games 4 and 5, both lefty pitchers.

[Cocos Disciples]

Maybe play Ortiz, Lowell and Youk all 2 games.

[das11209]

From Boston.com chat: Not that I agree - unfortunately Papi was not exactly tearing it up in the ALCS. I like Papi as pinch hitter unless we are down going in Denver.

 

GoldenGeek__Guest_ Youkilis has two carrer games playing 2B; any chance they shift Youk to 2B, Pedroia to SS, and sit Lugo to make room for Ortiz in the NL home games?

Nick_Cafardo No ... they would never do anything that drastic and change a guy who has been playing 2B all year to SS for a World Series. The issue will be Lowell and Youkilis. Ortiz will play 1B and either Lowell or Youkilis will play third base. The other will sit out.

[a700hitter]

Ortiz doesn't sit in October..ever, unless he can't play due to injury. Just having him in the order makes pitchers quake. Teams prepare their game plan around him. He is not judged on whether he is hot or not. He is an upper echelon SuperStar insane hitter that can wreck an opposing teams pitching. This lineup has two superstars-- Ortiz and Manny. Everyone else is somewhere between good and very very good, maybe even excellent. You don't sit down one of your superstars in a big game. Unfortunately, Youk and Lowell will have to split the time. Whether Lowell sits will depend on how Drew is doing. If Drew is hot, he'll provide enough protection for Manny.

[das11209]

Ortiz doesn't sit in October..ever' date=' unless he can't play due to injury. Just having him in the order makes pitchers quake. Teams prepare their game plan around him. He is not judged on whether he is hot or not. He is an upper echelon SuperStar insane hitter that can wreck an opposing teams pitching. This lineup has two superstars-- Ortiz and Manny. Everyone else is somewhere between good and very very good, maybe even excellent. You don't sit down one of your superstars in a big game. Unfortunately, Youk and Lowell will have to split the time. Whether Lowell sits will depend on how Drew is doing. If Drew is hot, he'll provide enough protection for Manny.[/quote']

 

You do have to take account of the fact of Ortiz's knee and if they will hold up if he plays defense.

[a700hitter]

You do have to take account of the fact of Ortiz's knee and if they will hold up if he plays defense.

Yes, injury would be the one and only reason to sit him down.

[SoxAtUA08]

as far as clarification goes, what exactly is wrong with ortiz's knee/legs

[a700hitter]

as far as clarification goes' date=' what exactly is wrong with ortiz's knee/legs[/quote']He has a torn meniscus in one knee that needs to be surgically repaired.

[TheKilo]

Yes' date=' injury would be the one and only reason to sit him down.[/quote']

 

Yeah. The decreased air pressure could wreak havoc on the knee.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Anyone thinking David Ortiz is sitting on the bench in place of Kevin Youkilis is dreaming. David Ortiz might be the most dangerous hitter in post-season history.

 

Kevin Youkilis vs. Mike Lowell may be more appropriate but even then you aren't going to sit Mike Lowell for Youkilis.

 

Kevin Youkilis is hot but lets not confuse ourselves. Youkilis will come in at some point during a game to pinch hit or defensive replacement for David Ortiz.

 

I recall Kevin Youkilis working out at 2nd one year....maybe move Pedroia to SS and Youkilis to 2B. Most likely we will have to live with Julio Lugo and pinch hit for him while leaving Alex Cora in as his replacement.

[TheKilo]

Anyone thinking David Ortiz is sitting on the bench in place of Kevin Youkilis is dreaming. David Ortiz might be the most dangerous hitter in post-season history.

 

And what about the games in Colorado where he'd be facing lefties? What about the oxygen difference in the field? What about the increased risk of injury?

 

Kevin Youkilis vs. Mike Lowell may be more appropriate but even then you aren't going to sit Mike Lowell for Youkilis.

 

Kevin Youkilis is hot but lets not confuse ourselves. Youkilis will come in at some point during a game to pinch hit or defensive replacement for David Ortiz.

 

The way Youkilis is swinging the bat it is by no means a slam dunk decision.

 

I recall Kevin Youkilis working out at 2nd one year....maybe move Pedroia to SS and Youkilis to 2B. Most likely we will have to live with Julio Lugo and pinch hit for him while leaving Alex Cora in as his replacement.

 

We're going to f*** with defensive alignments in the World Series?

[yankees228]

We're going to f*** with defensive alignments in the World Series?

 

There is a precedent for it, but it's not common.

[schillingouttheks]

I think you play him 1/3 games due to the increased risk of injury with the thin air. You can't f*** around with his knee...

 

Whatever Tito decides to do, I'll understand.

[zackredsox]

Got to start Ortiz. Youk can come in late in the game as a defensive replacement and maybe for certain matchups.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

And what about the games in Colorado where he'd be facing lefties? What about the oxygen difference in the field? What about the increased risk of injury?

 

Oxygen difference in Colorado? Increased injury?....this is the World Series, we are talking about possibly the best left handed hitter in the league. David Ortiz does not come off the lineup unless given an off day throughout the course of the season. Ortiz is in no need of a day off so he will play, end of story.

 

The way Youkilis is swinging the bat it is by no means a slam dunk decision.

 

It's not a slam dunk decision for those who want to complicate the matter. Fact is, David Ortiz is the best hitter on the Red Sox and will not sit.

 

We're going to f*** with defensive alignments in the World Series?

 

No we are not, it was just an idea that I do not think would ever happen. We should get used to the idea Kevin Youkilis will be on the bench and come in as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement when needed.

[DUSTINMOHR4LIFE]

You cannot sit Papi.

[MANNYHOF24]

I say Tito plays this like a regular season 3 game interleague series. With each playing 2/3 of the games. That makes the most sense to me. Play Papi in games 3 and 5. Play Lowell in games 3 and 4 and then Youk in games 4 and 5. It's logical, and it makes it so Papi doesnt have to play in the field on consecutive days.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think it depends on who is on the mound and where the series is at. If the sox get to Coors down 2-0, then they sure as hell will have Papi in there. Likewise, if it is a righty, then I expect Papi to be in there. Wouldnt be surprised to see Papi play games 3 and 4 while pinch hitting game 5 when Francis takes the hill, provided it gets that far.

[soxfan17881]

Ok... Now that we've seen games 1 and 2, have the 2-0 lead heading to Denver, know that papi's defensive skills are far less than Youk's, and know that Papi has not been hitting as well as usual, is there still a question as to who should ride the pine Saturday?

[das11209]

I do not want to sacrifice defense and risk injury to Ortiz by playing him now we are up by 2-0. Let him sit at least the first game. Last night - we proved that we can play small ball like a NL team. Hopefully Dice-K can bat.

[TheKilo]

I agree....sit Papi for game 3.

[jacksonianmarch]

I could be playing 1b for the sox in Colorado and the sox would still win. The sox are heads, shoulders, knees and toes above the rockies. This thing ends in Colorado on Sunday.

[das11209]

I could be playing 1b for the sox in Colorado and the sox would still win. The sox are heads' date=' shoulders, knees and toes above the rockies. This thing ends in Colorado on Sunday.[/quote']

 

You have been trying to jinx us since the series began.